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China threatens Belgium with a deterioration of their relations after the adoption of a resolution on the fate of the Uyghurs in committee of the federal Parliament.
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“Lies” and “false information”: the Chinese authorities are visibly upset by Belgian deputies. In question? The adoption by them, in committee of the House, of a text recognizing “a serious risk of genocide“of the Muslim Uyghur minority in Xinjiang, an autonomous territory in northwestern China.
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For Beijing, this is too much! After having sanctioned the author of the resolution, Samuel Cogolati (Ecolo), Xi Jinping’s regime calls the Belgium to “immediately rectify his error”otherwise bilateral relations between the two states will suffer, he warns.
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A surprising reaction? Not at all, according to the professor of international relations, Tanguy Struye (UCLouvain). “As soon as China feels threatened in its integrity, it intervenes by condemning the remarks, but also sometimes by establishing economic retaliation. She now feels powerful enough to show her tough face, ”he explains.
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Threatened trade
A worrying situation, especially since Sino-Belgian trade relations are far from insignificant. In 2020, China was Belgium’s 5th supplier and its 9th customer, according to statistics from the Foreign Trade Agency. Belgian exports to the Middle Kingdom thus amounted to 8.5 billion, while imports from it reached 18.2 billion.
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About 2,500 Belgian companies are concerned by direct exports, according to the National Bank of Belgium. And some 17,000, when you look at imports.
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“China could refuse to import certain raw materials.”
Tanguy struye
Professor of international relations at UCLouvain
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However, according to Professor Struye, these trade relations are likely to be undermined. “China could refuse to import certain raw materials, look for alternatives to our exports, or even limit its investments in our country, “he warns.
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Other states have already borne the brunt of such retaliation. Case study: Australia whose wines Beijing refused to import for reasons eccentric, after several political disagreements.
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On the side of the Federation of Belgian Enterprises (FEB), there are logically worried “about recent tensions diplomatic likely to affect trade between our country and China “, while specifying that the business climate for foreign companies in this country seems to have deteriorated.
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Cyber attacks and fake news
Beyond the economic lever, the Chinese dragon has other weapons. “We could attend a increase in cyber attacks“, like the one which had affected the Belnet network at the beginning of May and paralyzed the Chamber for several hours, where hearings relating to the situation of the Uyghurs were to be held, recalls Professor Struye. If the Chinese involvement in this action has not been demonstrated, however, a bundle of presumptions points to Beijing.
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Another effect to be feared if tensions persist: an intensification of the information war, with a spread of “fake news”.
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Out of the question to back down
In the coming days and weeks, the Belgian diplomats will probably work to calm relations with Beijing. However, Belgium cannot back down, unless it wants to damage its credibility and its international prestige, insists Struye.
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Obviously, this is not the intention, especially since Belgian concerns about the fate of the Uyghurs are far from unique. The Dutch, Canadian, Lithuanian, Czech and British parliaments, as well as the administration of US President Joe Biden, have already condemned human rights violations in Xinjiang.
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Questioned on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmès (MR) defended the independence and freedoms of reflection and expression of the Belgian Parliament, stressing that the government did not have to control it. A detail that it was probably useful to remind the Chinese Communist Party, which reigns supreme over the entire decision-making process within its borders.
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“We will not falter in Belgium in the face of sanctions or intimidation, regardless of the country.”
Samuel Cogolati (Ecolo)
Author of the resolution
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At the origin of the resolution, the deputy Cogolati for his part assured that he would not weaken. “Denouncing serious abuses and standing up against discrimination is nothing more than our mission as parliamentarians. Other democratic assemblies have also denounced genocide before us. This is why we will not falter in Belgium in the face of sanctions or intimidation, regardless of the country, powerful or not.. It is this attachment to fundamental rights that grows our small country, ”he said.
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The summary
- China is furious at the House Committee’s adoption of a resolution relating to the situation of Uyghurs.
- Beijing warns of a deterioration of bilateral relations.
- According to Professor Tanguy Struye, China could set up economic reprisals.
- The Belgian exports, but also the Chinese investments in Belgium, would be threatened.
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